Support & Resources

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Overview

A Barnard education is challenging, and Barnard women are prepared — but no-one has to figure it out alone. The whole community is ready to get behind you. From day one through graduation, you’ll find a team of people ready to guide, advise, and keep you up-to-speed as you navigate the waters. Your Barnard professors are your partners on your journey. They’re demanding and they want you to meet the challenge. Your faculty advisor and class dean are here to help you find and follow your path. Your peers will work with you to hone your writing, speaking, and study skills. And a personal librarian will help you develop strong research practices. We’re all rooting for you.

"I have never been in an environment where everyone wants you to succeed this much.”
— Mackenzie Collins ’16

Support From Faculty & Staff

In your first two years at Barnard, you’ll have the benefit of expert guidance provided by your Faculty Adviser and Class Dean. They'll help you shape your educational plan and provide the insights you need to make thoughtful and informed decisions about your academic and life goals. Once you’ve declared a major, in your sophomore year, a second adviser who specializes in your chosen field will take over to guide you toward graduation and, along with your career advisor, help you strategize your career path.

Meet the Class Deans

The academic Class Deans and support staff provide you with guidance in developing your educational plans and making thoughtful and informed decisions about your life goals.

Support From Your Peers

Peer-to-Peer Learning is just one of the many academic resources available to you at Barnard. You’ll find a variety of student-facilitated Help Rooms that offer group tutoring in computer science, general chemistry, economics, mathematics, physics, and more. And if you feel that you need additional support, you can also request to be matched with an individual peer tutor.

Writing and Speaking Fellows

Class presentation making you nervous? The Speaking Fellows are specially trained students who will work with you to help you improve your presentation and class discussion skills. For help with writing skills, you can seek out a Writing Fellow — a peer tutor who is specially trained to help you clarify your ideas and translate them to the written word in a way that is uniquely yours.

Inclusive Support for Underrepresented Students

At Barnard, we’re committed to enrolling women from all backgrounds, including students who are the first in their families to go to college and students who identify as coming from high schools in underresourced neighborhoods. Our Opportunity Programs support students who may need additional help adjusting to the rigors of a Barnard education so you’ll thrive, especially in fields like STEM, where people of color and first-generation college students are underrepresented.

Support for International Students

Barnard has a dedicated staff to serve the academic and other needs of F-1 and J-1 visa students, along with self-identified international students. As an international student, you’ll also have help from your peers — Barnard’s Global Ambassadors who act as liaisons to the larger Barnard community.